Vinh, 26 June, 2025 – Defender Que Ngoc Hai’s controversial foul in the dying minutes gifted Song Lam Nghe An a decisive penalty, helping them edge Binh Duong 3-2 in the semi-final of the 2024-2025 National Cup on the evening of June 26 at Vinh Stadium.
In the 89th minute, Song Lam Nghe An launched an attack from the right flank, delivering the ball to Michael Olaha inside the penalty area. The Nigerian striker controlled it under pressure from Ngoc Hai, who wrapped his arms around him. Olaha turned to his left and went down, prompting referee Hoang Ngoc Ha to immediately point to the spot. Despite furious protests from the Binh Duong players, the decision stood. With VAR technology malfunctioning since the beginning of the second half, there was no chance for video review.
Olaha calmly converted the penalty with a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, sending goalkeeper Tran Minh Toan the wrong way and sealing Song Lam Nghe An’s place in the final.
The match was an entertaining back-and-forth contest. Song Lam Nghe An took the lead twice before Olaha’s late goal secured victory. The Nigerian forward was the star of the match, directly contributing to all three goals.
Song Lam Nghe An thought they had gone ahead early in the 7th minute through Benjamin Kuku, but VAR ruled out the goal for offside. The breakthrough finally came in the 17th minute when Vuong Van Huy crossed from the left, Ho Van Cuong’s header hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out, allowing Olaha to nod in from close range.
Binh Duong missed several clear chances before equalizing in the 39th minute. After a scramble near the edge of the box, Tran Duy Khanh’s shot deflected off defender Hoang Van Khanh and looped over the goalkeeper for 1-1.
Song Lam Nghe An continued to look dangerous on the counter, particularly through Olaha. In the 79th minute, he sprinted down the left wing, breezed past Tran Dinh Khuong, and set up Ho Van Cuong for a tap-in to restore Song Lam Nghe An’s lead at 2-1.
Coach Nguyen Anh Duc brought on Janclesio in the 85th minute to bolster aerial threats, and the move paid off quickly. Two minutes later, from a left corner, Ha Duc Chinh headed across the goal for Janclesio to volley home the 2-2 equalizer.
As the game seemed destined for penalties, Que Ngoc Hai’s costly error handed Song Lam Nghe An the winning penalty. The final whistle left Binh Duong’s players devastated and their coach motionless in disbelief.
Song Lam Nghe An now advances to their fifth National Cup final, having previously lifted the trophy in 2002, 2010, and 2017. They will face the winner of the Hanoi Police FC in the final match. Due to Thanh Hoa’s earlier elimination, Song Lam Nghe An will host the final at Vinh Stadium.
A victory in the final would make Song Lam Nghe An the first club to win four National Cup titles, surpassing Hanoi FC and Binh Duong. However, they remain ineligible for the AFC Champions League Two due to licensing issues under AFC regulations.
Kim Chi
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